Darla Guenzler, Ph.D

Executive Director

Guenzler has worked in the land conservation field for nearly twenty years, and her leadership is recognized throughout the state and nation. In 2005, she founded the California Council of Land Trusts, a statewide association of nonprofit land trusts. She built a strong record of legislative and policy wins, including building a body of laws that improved the use and effectiveness of mitigation and associated endowments. Her creative and thoughtful approach, strategic acumen, ability to build relationships, and indefatigable persistence earned widespread respect. She conceived and launched Conservation Horizons, an initiative about the future direction of conservation, and Take It Outside, California! to connect all Californians with great outdoor places and experiences. Her other accomplishments include creation of the Conservation Law Forum, a tri-annual educational forum for attorneys and senior practitioners. Her early work materially improved the use, management, stewardship and defense of conservation easements. She holds Ph.D. and Master degrees in City and Regional Planning, and a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies, all from the University of California, Berkeley.